The laboratory supports mechanistic research into muscle adaptation and memory, epigenetic regulation, ageing, and disease, led by Professor Adam P Sharples and embedded within the Molecular Physiology and Epigenetics Research Group.
About
The laboratory enables translational research across biological scales, from human interventions to cellular and molecular mechanisms. Core research themes include:
- Molecular and epigenetic regulation of skeletal muscle adaptation
- Muscle hypertrophy, atrophy, and recovery processes
- Ageing and disease-related muscle remodelling
- Cellular reprogramming and muscle memory
- Integrative human and in vitro muscle models
The laboratory is populated by the Molecular Physiology and Epigenetics Research Group, an internationally recognised programme that first demonstrated epigenetic muscle memory in humans and continues to lead advances in skeletal muscle biology and multi-omics.
Methods and Experimental Platforms
The Cell and Molecular Physiology Laboratory provides a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art methodologies spanning human sampling, cellular systems, and molecular analysis.
Human Sampling and Tissue Processing
- Muscle biopsies from human participants for cellular and molecular analysis
- Tissue homogenisation of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue for downstream applications
- Isolation of DNA, RNA, and protein from human tissue samples
Primary Human Muscle Cell Models
- Isolation of primary human skeletal muscle cells from biopsies
- Monolayer muscle cell culture systems for mechanistic studies
- Three-dimensional engineered muscle constructs and microtissues
- Bioreactor systems for controlled mechanical loading and contraction studies
Cellular and Imaging Techniques
- Immunocytochemistry in cultured muscle cells
- Light and fluorescence microscopy
- Confocal microscopy for high-resolution cellular imaging
- MACS sorting for enrichment of muscle stem cells and cell populations
Muscle Tissue Histology
- Immunohistochemistry on muscle cross sections
- Quantification of fibre cross-sectional area (CSA)
- Fibre type determination
- Satellite cell identification and analysis
- MyoVision-based image analysis pipelines
Molecular and Biochemical Analysis
- ELISA for protein and biochemical quantification
- Western blotting for protein expression and signalling pathways
- Nucleic acid quantification using spectrophotometry and fluorescence-based methods (Qubit)
- Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for gene expression, mtDNA copy number and HRM-PCR
Computational and Multi-Omics Analysis
- High-performance computing infrastructure
- Bioinformatics pipelines for integrated multi-omics datasets
- Methylome, transcriptome, and proteomics analysis
- Systems-level analysis of molecular adaptations
Teaching and Training
The laboratory provides advanced training in:
- Molecular physiology and skeletal muscle biology
- Cell culture and bioengineering of muscle tissue
- Molecular techniques and multi-omics analysis
It supports Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD research projects, contributing directly to teaching in cell biology, exercise physiology, and molecular exercise science
Research Integration and Scientific Leadership
The laboratory is led by Professor Adam P Sharples, a globally recognised expert in skeletal muscle biology and epigenetics, ranked among the top researchers worldwide in this field.
Research conducted in the laboratory forms a core component of the Molecular Physiology and Epigenetics Research Group, which:
- Established the concept of epigenetic memory in human skeletal muscle
- Integrates human interventions, cell biology, and multi-omics
- Produces high-impact research across molecular physiology and ageing biology
- Maintains extensive international collaborations across Europe, North America, and Australia.
Current Research Projects and Funding
The laboratory supports several major funded research programmes and clinical studies:
Research Council of Norway (RCN)
- Repeated muscle atrophy study
- Mechanisms of molecular memory and susceptibility to muscle loss
Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) – EMMA Programme
- Epigenetic Memory of Mitochondrial Function in Ageing Skeletal Muscle
- Integration of deep multi-omics with human interventions and cellular systems
TestoMEM Clinical Study
- Hormonal regulation of skeletal muscle memory
- Go to the clinical trial
Additional ongoing and strategic projects
- Mechanistic studies of muscle cell reprogramming and adaptation
- Multi-scale modelling of muscle growth and wasting
Contact
- adams@nih.no
- Phone
- +47 23 26 23 03